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Baubert J, Salez M, Merkel H, Pons P, Cherednichenko S, Lecomte B, et al. IF gain bandwidth of membrane-based NbN hot electron bolometers for SHAHIRA. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond. 2005;15(2):507–10.
Abstract: SHAHIRA (Submm Heterodyne Array for HIgh-speed Radio Astronomy) is a project supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and is designed to fly on the SOFIA observatory. A quasi-optic design has been chosen for 2.5/2.7 THz and 4.7 THz, for hydroxyde radical OH, deuterated hydrogen HD and neutral atomic oxygen OI lines observations. Hot electron bolometers (HEBs) have been processed on 1 /spl mu/m thick SiO/sub 2//Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ stress-less membranes. In this paper we analyse the intermediate frequency (IF) gain bandwidth from the theoretical point of view, and compare it to measurements.
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Cherednichenko S, Khosropanah P, Berg T, Merkel H, Kollberg E, Drakinskiy V, et al. Optimization of HEB mixer for the Herschel Space Observatory [abstract]. In: Proc. 15th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol.; 2004. 16.
Abstract: A mixer development for the HIFI instrument of the Herschel Space Observatory has come to the final stage. In our paper and conference presentation we will describe the most important details of the Band 6 Low and High Mixer Unit design. Special attention will be given to the optimization of the hot- electron bolometer mixer chip, which is based on 3.5nm NbN superconducting film on silicon. As the HEB’s local oscillator power requirements depend on the bolometer size, we have compared mixer noise temperature for different bolometer width- to- length ratio. A trade- off between mixer performance and local oscillator power requirements results in the mixer units equipped with optimized mixer chips, providing the largest coverage of the Band6 RF band with the lowest possible receiver noise. A short account of the beam pattern measurements of Band6 mixers will be given as well.
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Cherednichenko S, Kroug M, Merkel H, Khosropanah P, Adam A, Kollberg E, et al. 1.6 THz heterodyne receiver for the far infrared space telescope. Phys C: Supercond. 2002;372-376:427–31.
Abstract: A low noise heterodyne receiver is being developed for the terahertz range using a phonon-cooled hot-electron bolometric mixer based on 3.5 nm thick superconducting NbN film. In the 1–2 GHz intermediate frequency band the double-sideband receiver noise temperature was 450 K at 0.6 THz, 700 K at 1.6 THz and 1100 K at 2.5 THz. In the 3–8 GHz IF band the lowest receiver noise temperature was 700 K at 0.6 THz, 1500 K at 1.6 THz and 3000 K at 2.5 THz while it increased by a factor of 3 towards 8 GHz.
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Gao JR, Hajenius M, Baselmans JJA, Klapwijk TM, de Korte PAJ, Voronov B, et al. NbN hot electron bolometer mixers with superior performance for space applications. In: Armandillo E, Leone B, editors. Proc. Int. workshop on low temp. electronics. Noordwijk; 2004. p. 11–7.
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Hübers H-W, Semenov A, Holldack K, Schade U, Wüstefeld G, Gol’tsman G. Time domain analysis of coherent terahertz synchrotron radiation. Appl Phys Lett. 2005;87(18):184103 (1 to 3).
Abstract: The time structure of coherent terahertz synchrotron radiation at the electron storage ring of the Berliner Elektronensynchrotron und Speicherring Gesellschaft has been analyzed with a fast superconducting hot-electron bolometer. The emission from a single bunch of electrons was found to last ∼1500ps at frequencies around 0.4THz, which is much longer than the length of an electron bunch in the time domain (∼5ps). It is suggested that this is caused by multiple reflections at the walls of the beam line. The quadratic increase of the power with the number of electrons in the bunch as predicted for coherent synchrotron radiation and the transition from stable to bursting radiation were determined from a single storage ring fill pattern of bunches with different populations.
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Schwaab GW, Auen K, Bruendermann E, Feinaeugle R, Gol’tsman GN, Huebers H-W, et al. 2- to 6-THz heterodyne receiver array for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). In: Phillips TG, editor. Proc. SPIE. Vol 3357. SPIE; 1998. p. 85–96.
Abstract: The Institute of Space Sensor Technology of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing a heterodyne array receiver for the frequency range 2 to 6 THz for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Key science issues in that frequency range are the observation of lines of atoms [e.g. (OI)], ions [e.g. (CII), (NII)], and molecules (e.g. OH, HD, CO) with high spectral resolution to study the dynamics and evolution of galactic and extragalactic objects. Long term goal is the development of an integrated array heterodyne receiver with superconducting hot electron bolometric (HEB) mixers and p-type Ge or Si lasers as local oscillators. The first generation receiver will be composed of HEB mixers in a 2 pixel 2 polarization array which will be pumped by a gas laser local oscillator. Improved Schottky diode mixers are the backup solution for the HEBs. The state of the art of HEB mixer and p-type Ge laser technology are described as well as possible improvements in the ’conventional’ optically pumped far-infrared laser and Schottky diode mixer technology. Finally, the frequency coverage of the first generation heterodyne receiver for some important astronomical transitions is discussed. The expected sensitivity is compared to line fluxes measured by the ISO satellite.
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Semenov AD, Hübers H-W, Richter H, Birk M, Krocka M, Mair U, et al. 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver with NbN hot-electron-bolometer mixer. Phys C: Supercond. 2002;372-376:448–53.
Abstract: We describe a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver for applications in astronomy and atmospheric research. The receiver employs a superconducting NbN phonon-cooled hot-electron-bolometer mixer and an optically pumped far-infrared gas laser as local oscillator. 2200 K double sideband mixer noise temperature was measured at 2.5 THz across a 1 GHz intermediate frequency bandwidth centred at 1.5 GHz. The total conversion losses were 17 dB. The mixer response was linear at load temperatures smaller than 400 K. The receiver was tested in the laboratory environment by measuring the methanol line in emission. Observed pressure broadening confirms the true heterodyne detection regime of the mixer.
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Tong C-YE, Kawamura J, Todd RH, Papa DC, Blundell R, Smith M, et al. Successful operation of a 1 THz NbN hot-electron bolometer receiver. In: Proc. 11th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol.; 2000. p. 49–59.
Abstract: A phonon-cooled NbN superconductive hot-electron bolometer receiver covering the frequency range 0.8-1.04 THz has successfully been used for astronomical observation at the Sub-Millimeter Telescope Observatory on Mount Graham, Arizona. This waveguide heterodyne receiver is a modified version of our fixed-tuned 800 GHz HEB receiver to allow for operation beyond 1 THz. The measured noise temperature of this receiver is about 1250 K at 0.81 THz, 560 K at 0.84 THz, and 1600 K at 1.035 THz. It has a 1 GHz wide IF bandwidth, centered at 1.8 GHz. This receiver has recently been used to detect the CO (9-8) molecular line emission at 1.037 THz in the Orion nebula. This is the first time a ground-based heterodyne receiver has been used to detect a celestial source above 1 THz.
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